Hanging onto center’s job is hardly a snap

If 49ers long snapper Brian Jennings plays in his 13th straight full season in 2012, he will tie the franchise record for consecutive games played with 208.

There is, however, a potential stumbling block to Jennings tying offensive lineman Len Rohde in the team’s record book: Jennings isn’t guaranteed to keep his job in 2012.

In a surprise move this offseason, San Francisco signed Ryan Pontbriand, a two-time Pro Bowl pick during his nine-year career with the Browns who is the highest-drafted long snapper (fifth round) in NFL history.

The move wasn’t a reflection of a decline in Jennings’ performance. Regarded as one of the league’s best at his position, Jennings, 35, is coming off the second Pro Bowl appearance of his 12-year career.

Rather, the signing of Pontbriand is perhaps the best example of coach Jim Harbaugh’s belief in the value of competition at each spot on the roster, even long snapper. Harbaugh has routinely said the best players will play regardless of draft status or past performance.

It doesn’t appear to be lip service.

Just ask quarterback Colin Kaepernick, last year’s second-round pick who is now battling newly signed Josh Johnson to retain his backup role. Or running back Frank Gore, 29, the franchise rushing leader who could be fighting off LaMichael James, Kendall Hunter and Brandon Jacobs for carries in 2012.

Or ask Jennings, whose competition isn’t limited to Pontbriand. The 49ers also signed long snapper Kyle Nelson, 25, to a future contract in January.

“For the 49ers, their job is not to make sure I play as long as possible – it’s to field the best team,” Jennings said. “As long as I’m able to perform at a level where I’m the best available guy and they see a future with me here, then I’ll be here. I’m putting myself in a position to be that guy. But this is a very serious organization, a very serious front office and a very serious coaching staff … and they will do everything in the best interest of the 49ers.”

Jennings, who will turn 36 in October, is the team’s oldest player and one of its most thoughtful locker-room voices. He’s well aware NFL coaches and executives aren’t swayed by sentiment when a player gets too old, or too expensive or begins to slip slightly in his performance. Jennings is scheduled to earn a base salary of $925,000 in 2012. Pontbriand is scheduled to earn $826,000.

“You’re always competing against the field,” Jennings said. “Are there younger guys? Are there cheaper guys? So I’ve always had the mentality that I want to be best available guy right now and next year. And as long as I can do that, I feel like I’m going to be here and I’m going to be in the NFL. … This wasn’t an eye-opening experience. I wasn’t shaken awake. It’s been the same for me every year – the NFL is hard and I’m working to get ready for the opponent. It hasn’t changed how I view things at all.”

At 32, Pontbriand is three years younger than Jennings and has a history with 49ers special teams coordinator Brad Seely, his position coach in Cleveland from 2009-10. The Browns released Pontbriand in November after a series of errant snaps.

Pontbriand said he could have signed with a team that had a less-established long snapper. But he felt comfortable reconnecting with Seely and believed he’d get a legitimate shot in San Francisco.

“If you play better, you’re going to play in this organization,” Pontbriand said. “I’m looking forward to competing with Brian. He’s been great to me. It’s just a professional situation that every other position on the team experiences on a day-to-day basis. It’s just a little strange at the snapper position.”